Bluebell Railway – First Public Trip on Ardingly Branch since 1963

Yes, see what’s “Round the Bend” in Horsted Keynes! This was the first trip of the day hence the first public trip on part of the Ardingly branch from Horsted Keynes since closure of the electric service from Haywards Heath in 1963. A brake car trip pulled by Fenchurch which takes an express non-stop trip South through Horsted Keynes Station and on to the start of the Ardingly branch on 15th August 2009. Here we see some of the stock awaiting restoration stored on the parallel line before stopping (fortunately !) at the beginning of the gap where the missing Sheriff Mill viaduct was blown up by the army. You can also see two service trains and the diesel loco hidden away behind the scenes. As you can see the track was rusty and unused. Trip in aid of the Northern Extension Fund which hopes to reconnect with East Grinstead main line. Tickets cost just £3 and represented excellent value. After getting to East Grinstead and a bit of a rest, we hope the Bluebell will push Westwards to Ardingly and eventually back to Haywards Heath! This would give a spare route to the coast in event of an incident on the main London line and could be a “nice little earner” for the Bluebell. The large mound between the Sheffield Park and Ardingly lines is the site of the new “picnic area” created with some of the spoil from the Northern tip. It will be a great place for photographers – as long as the inevitable fencing isn’t too intrusive! Sorry about the video quality, I only had my still …

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